Deep learning-based protein design of HIV-1 ENV GP120 core immunogens for CD4 binding site germline targeting

Active Project Grant Awarded Last action

Award ID
R01AI183406
Recipient
Awarding agency
Obligated
$3,278,439

Award facts

Assistance listing
93.855 Allergy and Infectious Diseases Research
Completion date 68% complete
Place of performance
Seattle, WA 98109, USA

Award details come from USAspending.gov.

Description

Abstract
This research proposal aims to develop new immunogens for an HIV-1 vaccine by utilizing advanced protein design techniques and deep learning methods. Conventional structure-guided approaches have limitations in achieving desired structural characteristics. Therefore, this study proposes using rfdiffusion, proteinmpnn, and ALPHAFOLD2, to generate new germline-targeting GP120 cores based on the pre-fusion native-like structure of the HIV-1 strain 426C. The designed immunogens prioritize maintaining the structural integrity of the pre-fusion GP120 while removing the bridging sheet and RE-designing specific regions to maintain the pre-fusion native-like backbone structure. In addition, particular attention is directed towards masking off-target epitopes. In vitro characterization will be performed to evaluate the binding characteristics of these immunogens with germline, broadly neutralizing, and non-neutralizing antibodies. Subsequently, transgenic mice expressing human germline VRC01-class bcrs will be utilized to assess the immunogenicity of selected immunogens presented on nanoparticles and analyze their impact on germinal center b cell responses and memory b cell repertoire. Monoclonal antibodies (mabs) obtained from immunized animals will be structurally characterized, shedding light on antibody maturation pathways influenced by the immunogen structure. Additionally, this research plan aims to expand the immunogen repertoire by designing GP120 cores based from diverse HIV-1 clades/strains. Furthermore, to enhance immunogenicity, membrane-bound and nanoparticles delivery through self-amplifying mrna will be explored. The ultimate objective of this research is to gain valuable insights into novel antigen design techniques and their application in HIV-1 vaccine strategies for broadly neutralizing antibodies development. The findings from this study will contribute to the development of immunogens that closely resemble the pre-fusion GP120 state, potentially leading to enhanced b-cell responses capable of generating broadly neutralizing antibody lineages. By addressing the complex features of the HIV-1 ENV protein and advancing immunogen design strategies, this research aims to make significant contributions towards the development of an effective HIV-1 vaccine.

Transactions

Action Obligated Date
Amendment $841,429
Amendment $772,776
Amendment $832,117
Original award $832,117

Subawards

Subrecipient Amount Awarded
Stichting Amsterdam UMC Dr. Yoann Aldon, the subaward investigator, and Stichting Amsterdam UMC site principal investigator, will be responsible for designing all the immunogens… $172,800
University Of Southampton Professor Max Crispin as the subaward investigator and University of Southampton principal investigator, will supervise a doctoral student in the mass… $94,998

Quick answers

Who received award R01AI183406?

R01AI183406 was awarded to Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center by National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (National Institutes of Health) on February 16, 2024.

How much is award R01AI183406 worth?

$3,278,439 has been obligated on R01AI183406.

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